New leadership announced at Highland County Humane Society
Lead Summary
By
Highland County Humane Society-
The Highland County Humane Society held its annual meeting and elected a new executive board.
HCHS is pleased to announce new leadership for 2023 with the addition of Jenn Thomas as board president. Thomas joins Sarah Roe (board treasurer), Pam Eccard (board secretary) and newly elected Misty Carter (general board member), all of whom share their investments not only in the mission of the Humane Society, but the Highland County community as well.
Thomas replaces outgoing president Penny Miller, who proudly served the shelter for the past year. Vice president Chris Theofilos did not accept renomination for 2023, but both he and Miller were thanked for their dedication to HCHS during the meeting.
Thomas brings to the position seven years of experience in animal shelter management, as she currently is the executive director for the Ross County Humane Society. Prior to that position, she spent 10 years working in the finance and insurance industry.
Thomas’s years of sheltering and fundraising experience from her time at the Ross County Humane Society will be put to good use.
“I have been able to accomplish so much with the help of my current board, my staff and the local community,” Thomas said. “I look forward to building those relationships in Highland County with this board and Shelter Director Fair to provide a safe haven for displaced animals in Highland County and help community members with pets who may be in need.”
Thomas is reunited with new shelter director Richelle Fair, who has 10 years of animal welfare experience spanning three different humane societies. She recently spent four years working for the Ross County Humane Society with Thomas.
“I was very sad to see her go, because she was instrumental in getting us to where we are now, but I know that she was needed more at Highland County, and she is going to do great things there,” Thomas said. “I’m proud to once again be serving a community with her.”
Fair is also a professional dog trainer and owns a dog boarding facility. She looks forward to utilizing her skills, knowledge and previous experience to help the Highland County Humane Society reach its full potential.
“The changes Richelle has brought on are night and day,” Dr. Michelle Gonzalez-Monska, veterinarian with the Rascal Unit, said. “The communication, the cleanliness of the shelter and kennels, staff engagement and attentiveness to the animals has increased 100 percent.”
Fair and Thomas are looking first to the most immediate need of the shelter, raising funds to help with operating costs for the shelter. In addition, there are plans to offer low-cost spay/neuter clinics to the public via the Rascal Mobile Clinic, as well as partnering with other shelters and rescue organizations to help more animals.
There are also plans for continuing education for staff in best sheltering practices, fear-free handling and continued implementation of the HCHS “Mommy and Me” program in the county. In this new program, unwanted litters of puppies or kittens are surrendered to the shelter, and the mother dog or cat is spayed and returned to the owner at no cost to the owner. The puppies or kittens are then vetted and adopted out through the shelter.
There are also plans for a community cat spay/neuter program made possible through a bequest in a will from a donor with specifications that the funds be used directly to help cats. The total bequest pledged is approximately $23,000.
HCHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and relies solely on adoption fees and donations from its supporters to pursue its mission. If you are interested in donating, please contact Highland County Humane Society directly for options.
The Humane Society is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. (closed during Rascal Clinics.)
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HCHS is pleased to announce new leadership for 2023 with the addition of Jenn Thomas as board president. Thomas joins Sarah Roe (board treasurer), Pam Eccard (board secretary) and newly elected Misty Carter (general board member), all of whom share their investments not only in the mission of the Humane Society, but the Highland County community as well.
Thomas replaces outgoing president Penny Miller, who proudly served the shelter for the past year. Vice president Chris Theofilos did not accept renomination for 2023, but both he and Miller were thanked for their dedication to HCHS during the meeting.
Thomas brings to the position seven years of experience in animal shelter management, as she currently is the executive director for the Ross County Humane Society. Prior to that position, she spent 10 years working in the finance and insurance industry.
Thomas’s years of sheltering and fundraising experience from her time at the Ross County Humane Society will be put to good use.
“I have been able to accomplish so much with the help of my current board, my staff and the local community,” Thomas said. “I look forward to building those relationships in Highland County with this board and Shelter Director Fair to provide a safe haven for displaced animals in Highland County and help community members with pets who may be in need.”
Thomas is reunited with new shelter director Richelle Fair, who has 10 years of animal welfare experience spanning three different humane societies. She recently spent four years working for the Ross County Humane Society with Thomas.
“I was very sad to see her go, because she was instrumental in getting us to where we are now, but I know that she was needed more at Highland County, and she is going to do great things there,” Thomas said. “I’m proud to once again be serving a community with her.”
Fair is also a professional dog trainer and owns a dog boarding facility. She looks forward to utilizing her skills, knowledge and previous experience to help the Highland County Humane Society reach its full potential.
“The changes Richelle has brought on are night and day,” Dr. Michelle Gonzalez-Monska, veterinarian with the Rascal Unit, said. “The communication, the cleanliness of the shelter and kennels, staff engagement and attentiveness to the animals has increased 100 percent.”
Fair and Thomas are looking first to the most immediate need of the shelter, raising funds to help with operating costs for the shelter. In addition, there are plans to offer low-cost spay/neuter clinics to the public via the Rascal Mobile Clinic, as well as partnering with other shelters and rescue organizations to help more animals.
There are also plans for continuing education for staff in best sheltering practices, fear-free handling and continued implementation of the HCHS “Mommy and Me” program in the county. In this new program, unwanted litters of puppies or kittens are surrendered to the shelter, and the mother dog or cat is spayed and returned to the owner at no cost to the owner. The puppies or kittens are then vetted and adopted out through the shelter.
There are also plans for a community cat spay/neuter program made possible through a bequest in a will from a donor with specifications that the funds be used directly to help cats. The total bequest pledged is approximately $23,000.
HCHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and relies solely on adoption fees and donations from its supporters to pursue its mission. If you are interested in donating, please contact Highland County Humane Society directly for options.
The Humane Society is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. (closed during Rascal Clinics.)
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